(StraightNews.org) – Two people died and four others were injured during a shooting at a suspected speakeasy in Philadelphia on January 15. The incident happened at the 2400 block of North Myrtlewood Street in the Strawberry Mansion area of the city, where police officers found three people with gunshot wounds inside a residence.
One of the victims was shot in the face and pronounced dead at the scene, while a second sustained several gunshot wounds to the chest and died shortly afterward in hospital. Four others were injured in the hand, arm, leg, and hip and were treated in local hospitals – they are expected to make a full recovery.
The bullets came from outside the building, police said, and initial inquiries suggested that one or more shooters fired at the residence from across the street, where 9 mm bullet casings were found.
A neighbor said crime is rare in the area and described it as “a quiet neighborhood.” Another resident added, “I don’t know why people kill each other, but good people live here.”
Despite reports suggesting that crime is falling in the City of Brotherly Love, Mayor Cherelle Parker recently declared a public safety emergency. In an executive order, Mayor Parker said the Police Commissioner “shall employ any lawful means necessary to abate the public safety emergency.” The Mayor called for a comprehensive plan to increase the number of serving police officers on the city’s streets, with a focus on reducing gun violence.
According to an Axios report last summer, violent crime in Philadelphia between January and August fell by 7% compared to the previous year. Homicides were down 28%, robberies 10%, and rapes decreased by 9%. Other offenses, however, increased, with car theft up by 105% and retail theft rising by 34%.
There are approximately 5,500 cops in the city, which is under the 6,400 catered for in its budget. Repeated polls of Philadelphian voters confirm that public safety is the primary concern.
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